the house passed the first of a two-part aid package to help victims of superstorm sandy. >> all those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. the ayes have it. >> the package easily passed in the senate this afternoon. president obama is expect ed to sign it. northeast lawmakers have been furious at the length of time it's taken to approve funding. it's been over two months since that storm hit. >>> a symbol of strength and courage arrived in newtown, connecticut, today. gabrielle giffords and her husband, astronaut mark kelly, met with the victims' families this afternoon. 20 students and six staff members were killed at sandy hook elementary. next tuesday will be the second anniversary of the tucson shooting massacre which left giffords partially blind and paralyzed. it's official, barack obama is our next president. today congress officially counted the electoral college votes. president obama captured 332, more than the 270 needed to win. as for the popular vote, obama also won with that. 51% of the vote. mitt romney with 47%. jess? >> thank you very much, janelle. still ahead, turni